Straw tick mattress?

[LittleHouseMom]

Tell me, is this totally weird? I want to get new mattresses for my dc to get them off of the chemical ones. My oldest ds wakes up feeling terrible every morning. We can't afford four new organic mattresses. I this a totally rediculous idea that popped into my head? Why not make a straw tick mattress and put a feather bed over it.

Is that awful? What about the bugs in it?

What do you all think? Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[Meiri]

I don't think the mold and dust mite issues you would have with those would be an improvement over whatever "chemical" issues you're worried about.

I'd sooner make a rope bed and line it with a store's worth of heavy blankets and quilts. At least those would be washable.

[EnviroBecca]

I like the idea of washable stuff on a rope base--I never thought of that!

There are "hybrid futons" that have springs in the middle (so they don't get flat and hard after a few years like a traditional futon) surrounded by cotton batting and rubber. Not organic, but mostly natural. We bought one 3 years ago and are very happy with it. Full-size for <$200 at Norka Futon.

[Meiri]

I've known people who use rope beds for a certain camping event we used to attend. Done properly, they can be quite comfortable. I think they use an air mattress on the roped frame.

I could see using a futon or even a regular mattress on such a frame.